Governor's Heritage Award - Elaine Emerson

Elaine Timentwa Emerson of Omak, Washington is a member of the Okanagan and Methow Bands of the Colville Confederated Tribes. Emerson was born and raised on the family cattle ranch near Monse. She was taught cedar basketweaving at the age of six by her mother, Julian “Cecelia” Timentwa. Emerson made her first completed basket when she was fourteen years old, and gave it to an elder. For the past twenty-five years, she has been actively engaged in weaving baskets and teaching classes to keep the art, heritage and culture of her people alive. In 1989 Emerson participated in the making of the video, “The Cedar Root Baskets of the Colville Indian Reservation.” The video shows the traditional gathering and preparation of cedar roots and explains how Native values are related to the making of baskets. A Native speaker of the Okanogan language, Emerson directs the Colville Confederated Tribes’ language program.